LOS ANGELES – Potentially heavy rains and floods, along with strong winds and low snow levels, are expected to hammer the Southland yet again starting Tuesday — the latest in a series of storms to buffet the region in recent weeks.
The National Weather Service on Monday issued an array of cautions — including a flood watch for most of the Los Angeles area beginning late Monday night through Wednesday afternoon; a wind advisory for most of the region from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday; and a more severe high wind warning for Orange County coastal and inland areas from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday.
South winds of 25-35 mph with gusts 45 to 55 were expected in the OC, potentially damaging trees and power lines.
In the L.A. area, “extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible,” the weather service said. Rainfall totals for Tuesday through Wednesday were expected to be 1 to 2 inches across the coasts and valleys and 2 to 4 inches in the mountains.
“Tuesday to Tuesday night there is a slight risk (15% to 40% chance) for excessive rainfall and flash flooding along and west of the mountains with a marginal risk (5% to 15% chance) of flash flooding for our deserts,” according to the NWS’ Los Angeles office. “Mainly snow is expected at higher mountain elevations.”
A flood watch will also be in effect for Orange County coastal and inland areas from early Tuesday morning through Wednesday evening — with rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations susceptible.
In addition, a winter storm warning will be in place from 7 a.m. Tuesday to 11 p.m. Wednesday for the western and eastern San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 corridor — with snow accumulations of 2 to 5 feet above 6,000 feet, 10-20 inches between 5,000 and 6,000 feet and 2-10 inches between 3,500 and 5,000 feet. The weather service also warned of southerly winds gusting as high as 75 mph.
Areas of light precipitation were expected to begin late Monday and intensify overnight and into Tuesday and Wednesday before dry and milder conditions — but below-average temperatures — roll into the region on Thursday.
The weather system will also bring colder temperatures to the area, with daytime highs dropping into the upper 50s Tuesday and Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles and the valleys.
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